European Painting before 1900, Johnson Collection Diana and Actaeon c. 1560 Paolo Veronese (Paolo di Gabriele Caliari), Italian (active Verona, Venice, and environs) 1528 - 1588 Oil on canvas Currently not on view Cat. 225 John G. Johnson Collection, 1917 |
LabelIn classical mythology, the hunter Actaeon accidentally interrupted the goddess Diana bathing. Having forbidden all men to look upon her nudity, the virgin goddess was enraged and transformed him into a stag. This painting shows Actaeon's transformation beginning in the foreground. In the distance the end of the story is shown: he is devoured by his own hounds. Veronese was known for his sensuous depictions of classical subjects. |
